The 2025 tax season in Canada has been anything but smooth. From duplicate T4 and T4A slips showing up in taxpayer accounts to widespread electronic filing errors, Canadians are facing a wave of complications that are affecting their ability to file accurately and on time. Tax professionals and individuals alike are calling for more clarity and reliability from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as these issues continue to mount.
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Duplicate Tax Slips Causing Confusion
Why Are Tax Slips Appearing Twice?
Accountants across the country have reported that many clients are finding duplicate tax slips—particularly T4 and T4A forms—uploaded to their CRA accounts. These slips are critical for reporting employment and pension income. When duplicates appear, they not only create confusion but also raise the risk of filing incorrect returns, potentially resulting in overreported income and higher tax bills.
Incomplete Slips in CRA’s Portal
To make matters worse, some tax preparers have flagged that digital versions of slips uploaded to the CRA portal don’t always match the paper copies received directly from employers or financial institutions. These discrepancies have made it necessary for filers to cross-check everything manually—a process that undermines the convenience of CRA’s auto-fill feature.
E-Filing Roadblocks: What’s Behind the Error Codes?
System Glitches Disrupting Submissions
Beyond duplicate slips, electronic filers have run into persistent error codes that block tax return submissions altogether. Steven Watson, Executive Director of the EFILE Association of Canada, criticized the system’s lack of robustness and questioned why such issues were not caught during pre-season testing.
A Troubled January Update
The CRA rolled out a system update in January 2025, tightening slip verification protocols. This change was intended to ensure more accurate reporting but may have unintentionally caused both missing and duplicate slip problems. Whether the same update is responsible for the surge in error codes remains uncertain.
CRA’s Response: Acknowledgment and Caution
CRA Confirms the Duplicate Slip Issue
Ryan Minor, Director of Taxation at CPA Canada, confirmed that the CRA has acknowledged the duplicate slip problem. While the agency is working to fix it internally, it has warned slip issuers not to remove duplicates themselves—a move that could cause even more complications.
Advice to Taxpayers: Verify, Don’t Trust Auto-Fill
The CRA is advising taxpayers to prioritize paper slips from employers and financial institutions over those seen in their online accounts. Manual cross-checking is now a must for anyone hoping to avoid errors on their return.
Filing Risks: Why Accuracy Matters More Than Ever
Overreporting and Underreporting Income
Missing slips can lead to underreported income, potentially triggering audits or penalties. On the flip side, duplicate slips may result in overreporting, meaning taxpayers could pay more than they owe. Experts warn that relying on CRA’s auto-fill feature this year could be risky.
What Tax Pros Are Saying
Hugh Neilson of Kingston Ross Pasnak LLP advised taxpayers to base returns on actual income received and to contact issuers if they notice duplicate or suspicious slips in their CRA profiles.
CRA’s Commitment to Fixing Filing Errors
Relief Measures Announced for E-Filing Errors
On April 14, the CRA officially acknowledged that error codes were affecting both individuals and tax professionals trying to submit returns. If these errors prevent timely filing by April 30, the CRA has stated it will waive penalties and interest for affected users—provided they attempted to file and encountered unresolved errors.
What You Need to Qualify for Relief
To be eligible for relief, you must:
- Attempt to file electronically by April 30
- Encounter a specific CRA error code
- Make a genuine effort to resolve the issue
Pressure Mounts on Tax Preparers
A Season of Frustration and Manual Monitoring
Tax preparers are under strain, forced to continually check for updates, errors, and submission statuses on behalf of clients. Watson described the situation as “not ideal,” pointing out the stress and inefficiency the current process creates.
Last-Minute Fixes Add to the Chaos
If the CRA rolls out fixes close to the filing deadline, preparers will face a frantic push to refile affected returns. This eleventh-hour scramble is expected to compound the challenges of an already taxing season.
April 2025 CRA Benefit Payments in Canada Dates, Amounts, and Eligibility Explained
Some Canadians May Have to Repay Part of Their Carbon Tax Rebate, Says CRA Here’s the Reason
CRA’s $250 One-Time Rebate Has Arrived Who’s Eligible and How to Claim It Quickly
1200 Month for Retired Seniors Know Eligibility Payment Dates Fact Check
Seniors at Greater Risk: Impact on OAS and Pensions
Duplicate slips are causing real consequences for senior Canadians. Inaccurate reporting has already impacted Old Age Security (OAS) clawback calculations. This adds another layer of urgency for pensioners who depend on precise tax filings to avoid losing essential benefits.
No Deadline Extension Despite Widespread Problems
Despite the technical glitches, the CRA has not extended the April 30 tax filing deadline. Tax professionals and taxpayers are expected to meet the original due date—regardless of any unresolved system errors.
CRA’s Updated Guidance and Final Advice
The CRA continues to update its website with workarounds for frequent issues. While updates are helpful, the responsibility still falls heavily on taxpayers to ensure their returns are complete and accurate.
Final Tip: Double-Check Everything
Given the ongoing complications, Canadians should avoid relying solely on CRA’s auto-fill tool. Use paper slips, verify online information manually, and keep a close eye on CRA communications for updates.
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